|
|
Post by chelleyau on Mar 1, 2009 19:56:55 GMT 10
Just wondering what is the best advice for a newbie....
|
|
|
|
Post by chelleyau on Mar 1, 2009 19:57:24 GMT 10
The biggest no nos
|
|
|
|
Post by chelleyau on Mar 1, 2009 19:58:21 GMT 10
and what bought to buy a rat
|
|
|
|
Post by Kim on Mar 1, 2009 22:48:08 GMT 10
Please just edit / Modify your posts rather than post a new one every minute in the same topic.
Although you have reached 11 posts I now have to wait until you have made 14 in total before I can give you access.
But you have asked a good question regarding advice for newbies.
|
|
|
|
Post by chelleyau on Mar 2, 2009 10:16:35 GMT 10
sorry about that... still wearing my L plates  I am finding it very hard to find a male rat! I made the mistake of teling my son that we might have one only to find out they only had females! I seem only to open my mouth to change feet! |
|
|
|
Post by Kim on Mar 2, 2009 12:38:32 GMT 10
Thats ok, I just wanted to let you know why I wasnt giving you full access right away. How soon do you want a male? If you are able to wait a couple of months, both Leeann and I are breeding this month. So within the next 3 to 4 weeks we should both have babies born and 6 weeks after they are born they will be ready to go to new homes. Leeann doesnt have any reservations right now for her up coming babies so she should have some males available if you are willing to wait? |
|
|
|
Post by vandemanrats on Mar 16, 2009 17:48:25 GMT 10
and what bought to buy a rat For starters i would say you should look for a good secure cage first, then have a look at.. bedding to line your cage, i my self use citrus chipsee as mine like to build their nests and burrows out of it, "House" for them to sleep in, Water Bottle Food bowl toys?? Sleep tunnels?? Mirror (helps if you only have 1 so they think they're not alone) Good knowledgable book on rat care You can add all sorts of things, they will soon let you know if they don't like something. Hope thats ok as a starter point anyhow, Regards Van Deman Rats |
|
|
|
Post by Australian Rat Forum on Mar 18, 2009 10:20:35 GMT 10
Mirror (helps if you only have 1 so they think they're not alone) It doesnt really help, as a mirror can not groom or talk to snuggle up with the lone rat. Mirrors only ever work with birds like budgies when they are alone. |
|
|
|
Post by vandemanrats on Mar 18, 2009 21:02:25 GMT 10
[/quote]
It doesnt really help, as a mirror can not groom or talk to snuggle up with the lone rat.
Mirrors only ever work with birds like budgies when they are alone.
[/quote]
I appologise but i have to disagree,
My sisters rat will not settle unless he has his mirror in his cage, he has made his bed in front of it and he snuggles up against it, he even puts food in front of it,
Sorry
|
|
|
|
Post by carolyn on Mar 20, 2009 11:28:24 GMT 10
Hi, I'm also interested in any advice for a newbie... I'm so new I haven't even got our ratties yet... I have found a reference that looks pretty good though at www.quite.co.uk/rats/Thanks Carolyn |
|
|
|
Post by jackalheadrats on Mar 22, 2009 11:55:15 GMT 10
Best advice? Read, read, read! And don't be afraid to ask questions. Also, I find it quite important to cross-reference some of the online info. It helps you weed out the untrue info and makes you more knowledgeable and a better owner.
|
|
saz
Aussie Rat Owner 
Posts: 13
|
Post by saz on Mar 23, 2009 19:28:22 GMT 10
Find a knowledgable vet. At some point you will probably need one!
|
|
|
|
Post by christie on Mar 23, 2009 19:49:51 GMT 10
Also i have found that sometimes the best toys/houses for rats are not the ones you get from pet shops. They can be expensive and just get chewed up. For houses i use ice cream containers and just cut holes in it for doors. Making sure there aren't any sharp bits. Ropes can easily be made out of long strips of fleece and just plated together.
There are heaps of other things you can make to for them to play with.
|
|
|
|
Post by abbyjas on Mar 30, 2009 19:19:02 GMT 10
My son got his first 2 male rats in February. We did go out and buy a good cage first, and did some research about food, and what rats need, like toys, vet care, etc.
All is good so far, my son loves them, handles them everyday, prepares their food for them and likes having them in his room. They sit on his shoulder while he is on the computer.
I think they are great pets and because we were prepared so far it has been a lot of fun.
|
|
hermit
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 19
|
Post by hermit on Apr 2, 2009 13:07:38 GMT 10
Some of my rats like cat balls - the ones with lattice worked holes around the outside so they can pick them up and carry them around.
Also large Cardboard tubes that you can throw away once they have got too dirty.
Leeann and Kim what matings are you doing??
|
|
